18th June 2020

Ivybridge Cements 
Clive Smith

Colas 70809 powers through Ivybridge station with the 6C36 the 07.17 Moorswater - Aberthaw cement wagons. 

Colas 70809 powers through Ivybridge station with the 6C36 07.17 Moorswater - Aberthaw cement wagons. This was a bit of a grey foggy start to the day on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. Regards Clive Smith.

N.B. Aberthaw works is about five miles west of Barry.

Many thanks Clive.

Soggy S Wales this morning.
Guy Vincent

Cardiff Central this morning, a very wet and gloomy day after several weeks of fine dry weather.  Colourful ex East Midlands Trains 153310 with Transport for Wales liveried 153312 both stand in platform 3 on the 1W07 1037 Manchester Piccadilly service with GWR Turbo 166215 in P2 on the 1F13 1030 to Portsmouth Harbour.   At the same time 60015 came rumbling through on a well loaded 6H25 0920 Margam-Llanwern steel coil train.   Freight in South Wales seems to be holding up reasonably well despite the current world situation. Guy Vincent

Cardiff Central 166215 153310 153312 18th June 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent. A nice colorful combination - see note above.

Cardiff Central 60015 6H25 0920 Margam-Llanwern Steel Coils 18th June 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy for your bright and cheerful images on such a dull day.
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Severn Tunnel
Mark Aston

The Welshman 43188 bursts out of the Severn Tunnel with 2C77 Cardiff to Taunton Severn Tunnel 16th June 2020. Copyright Mark Aston. The sort of picture only available to a professional railwayman - aren't we lucky !

Moving a few yards east from the mouth of the Severn Tunnel we see 6667X climbing away with the 484B Wentlog to Southampton. 16th June 2020. Copyright Mark Aston. The Severn Beach branch once continued to Pilning Low Level passing across the top of the tunnel. In the distance can be seen the towers of the Severn Road Bridge.

A few CRS members may recall that many years ago on a minibus trip we stopped near the lower location and were able to tread a well worn path used by enthusiasts to obtain this view. This location is now securely fenced off!

Many thanks Mark for the dramatic pictures.

Recents & Oldies
Craig Munday

Some recent workings down west have included a visit from a class 143 (two infact), and a transfer of the Night Riviera stock from Reading to Long Rock. This results in both sets being in Cornwall. Some confusion about crew familiarization runs commencing, or the NR starting in service again soon. Either way, it's nice to see Long Rock housing three class 57s at the moment. The 143 is seen returning east at Restormel among the foxgloves with 150239 in tow bound for Exeter. I was out here in 2019 waiting for the evening sand trains in the sunshine, waht a difference a year makes. The sleepers heads west at Dobwalls on 5th June. A huge amount of work achieved by Ground Control clearing vegetation in the area. This view never before seen as Sperritt Tunnel is the vantage point for this. The loco was struggling here, and the train was looped at Lostwithiel and 57605 called for to assist onward from there to Long Rock. (Image 349-351) I've recently scanned some Bristol pictures of the 43183/43185 Great Western new livery launch. I accompanied the train from Bristol St Philips Marsh to Temple Meads for the launch in the bay platform 2. I dont have a date for this, does anyone remember it? (image 427) Finally for today, I found a negative which hasn't scanned particularly well, but shows 31286 working the late running excursion in 1982 through Hayle. We waited all blooming evening for this, and it was nearly dark by the time it passed through. There has been a lot of class 31 interest lately. Kind regards for now

An unusual location on the 5th June 2020 with 57603 on the 5Z79 ECS Sleeper stock working approaches Sperritt Tunnel. Copyright Craig Munday

It's the 8th June 2020 as 143603 leads the defective 150 239 towards Restomel. Copyright Craig Munday

Moving to St Phillips Marsh Depot we see St Phillips 43185 in the then new livery. Copyright Craig Munday

The other end of the New liveried HST where we see 43183 at St Phillips Marsh. Copyright Craig Munday

43183 St Phillips Marsh. Copyright Craig Munday

Seen at a rather wet Hayle is Class 31 286 with a return Excursion. This picture dates to 1982 Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks Craig.

Chetnole Yesterday
Bill Elston

I was over at Chetnole today  (17th June 2020) to see the Tyseley to Bristol High Level Sidings, via Weymouth, Test Train, which produced 67027 and 67023. Fortunately the weather stayed dry.  Please see photos.

Best regards,  Bill 

67027 with test train at Chetnole Halt, 17th June 2020. Copyright Bill Elston

67023 on the other end of the Test train at Chetnole. 17th June 2020. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill.

Marston Footbridge
Ken Mumford

17th June 2020 - 09.44 - Test train (reporting code - 1Z22) running from Birmingham (Tyseley) to Bristol via roundabout route (via Evesham, Oxford, Swindon, Westbury, Yeovil, Weymouth, Frome and Bath). It passed me 6 minutes early - 1-44 pm - at one stage it was much earlier! 0945 - The tail end of 1Z22 passing Marston footbridge 0956 - A Swindon bound "flying cucumber" as some railway enthusiasts call them!

Marston Footbridge 67023 17th June 2020 Copyright Ken Mumford (Also seen at Chetnole by Bill Elston)

Marston Footbridge 09.56 17th June 2020 Copyright Ken Mumford

Many thanks Ken.